Neck-yoke



UNITED STATES.

PATENT EEICE.

FRANK J. LYTLE, OF HUMBOLDT, NEBRASKA.

SPECIFICATION forming part f Letters Patent N0. 503,150, dated August 15, 1893.

Application iiled March 31,1893. Serial No. l168,427. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. LYTLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at l-Iumboldt, in the county of Richardson and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and useful Neck-Yoke, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to neck-yokes, and has for its object to prevent the pole-end and yoke-straps from being disconnected entirely from a support should the neck-yoke break by means of a device that is applied to the neck-yoke and to which said parts are connected.

With this and other ends in view the invention consists of the construction and arrangement of the parts thereof as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure l is a perspective View of a neck-yoke embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view, looking toward the under side of the neck-yoke. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view ofthe attachment to the neck-yoke removed. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the pole tip or end. Fig. 5 is asection on the line Fig. 2.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a wooden neck-yoke having a central circumferential groove 2, to which is secured, in a movable manner, a leather center 3, having a slot 4 therein.

Extending longitudinally of the neck-yoke l to one side of the center of the same, and located on the under part thereof, is a groove 5, through which is movably fitted a steel rod 6, having the opposite ends thereof formed with loops 7, to which the yoke-straps are secured. The rod 6 is continuous from end to end and at the center thereof has an enlarged loop 8, welded thereto, which depends parallel with the opposite edges of the center 3 and has its lower end secured to said center at the bottom part of the latter. To hold the said rod in place metallic bands 9 surround the yoke adjacent to the ends thereof a sufficient distance to provide a irm attachment, and at 5o the center of the yoke, on opposite sides of the circumferential groove 2, are secured metallic bands l0, for a similar purpose. The bands 9 are engaged at their outer edges by the inner parts of the loop 7, and the bands lO, at their inner opposing edges, bear against the upper parts of the opposite members of the loop 8, and by this means the rod 6, together with its loops, is held in proper adjusted position against longitudinal movement on the neck-yoke but is permitted to have a rocking movement to compensate for the movements of the pole-end and the yokestraps. The yoke-straps are connected to the loops 7 and the pole-end or tip is caused to pass through the slot or opening 4 in the tongue 3. Should the wood of the yoke become broken it will be seen that the yokestraps and pole-end would still be connected vby the Wire rod which would be made sufficiently strong to serve the purpose of aneckyoke and hold the vehicle with perfect safety. It will be observed also that no holes are formed in the wood of theneck-yoke that would have a tendency to weaken it, and that no end-clips or iron journals or bearings are employed. Further, the use of staples is entirely dispensed with, and even though the wood of the neck-yoke should break, the end of the pole will still be sustained in elevated position by the wire rod, thereby preventing danger of the pole dropping underthe horses feet, and consequently averting runaways and accidents.

In Fig. 4 is shown a preferred form of poletip or end that is cast hollow and adapted to fit over the end of the pole, and on the under side of the same is a downward projection 11, at the rear, that forms an abutting shoulder, and in advance of this shoulder is a reduced depending ilange l2, Which has its edge tapered to permit easy ingress of the pole tip or end through the slot 4 of the center 3, so that the lower part of the latter may be movably fitted in an opening formed between the rear shoulder and the rear termination of the flange. This pole-tip is convenient in its construction, and is especially useful in connection with the device as heretofore set forth.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction maybe resorted IOC) to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. The combination with a neck-yoke having a center rnovably attached thereto and provided with an opening adapted to receive a po1e-tip, of a rod applied to the under side of the yoke and adapted to rock thereon, means for securing the rod in position, said rod having its center shaped to engage and pass through the neck-yoke center, and at its ends provided with loops for the reception of the breast-straps, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a neck-yokehaving a groove extendinglongitudinally thereof, of a wire rod inovablymountedin said groove and having loops at the opposite ends thereof and at the center of the same, a tongue attached to the neck-yoke and havingthe lower part thereof secured to the center loop ofthe wire rod and formed with an opening or slot therein, bands surrounding the neck-yoke to hold the Wire rod in place, and a pole tip or end engaging the said tongue, the said endloops of the Wire rod being arranged to receive the yoke-straps of the harness, suhstantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aiiixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK J. LYTLE.

Witnesses:

E. W. ELWELL, VAL RAUH. 

